I have 6 kids; 11 to 21 and there is no right or wrong way, only right for you and your child and wrong for you and your child. I say to keep learning interest led and play based until the child is 8, with that said you can teach anything and introduce everything through play, play is a mindset. If he is motivated to learn to read that’s play, if he’s motivated to learn music that is play. Enjoy being a co-learner and play through the process as much as possible

I love seeing your and Ellen’s homeschooling/unschooling content. I am a huge proponent of home and unschooling, so it’s always fun to see what others are doing to help their children learn.

I love that you use a cassette player!! I’m not a homeschooling parent, but was homeschooled my whole life. I’m also a musician and have taught music (violin) for many years. My mother did mainly a Waldorf (Oak Meadow) approach with me, which I really loved. We didn’t do any official academics until I was 7, and by the time I turned that age, I was so ready to learn. I really loved the academics and that special one-on-one time with my mother. But before age 7, we were involved in a lot of homeschool activities, like playgroups, field trips with our homeschool group, dance, and sports. The only lessons my mother forced me to take before age 7 were swimming, for safety’s sake. We did a lot of literature, music, art, nature, crafts, time with/care for animals, gardening, cooking, housekeeping, finger knitting, etc before (and after) age 7. We also had a lot of time for free play, all the way up to when I was about 11. I think the Waldorf approach can be very special (I loved it), but it’s not for every child, and it can be a bit dogmatic. It also encourages use of a lot of non-vegan materials (beeswax, wool), so I would tweak some things. As far as music and piano lessons, at age 3, I think a play centred introduction to voice and percussion can be really good. This could look like a circle time at playgroup (or just something you do as a family), an Orff class (look into Orff Schulewerk, a play based approach to teaching music to very young children), or pulling out various percussion instruments (drums, xylophone, tambourine) and playing them in an exploratory, open ended way. I think piano lessons can be appropriate starting at age 4/5 IF the teacher uses a play based approach and the child is learning primarily by ear (rather than reading music). It’s also helpful at this age for parents to take an active role in the learning process by sitting in on lessons. I personally think it can backfire at such a young age to push children to practice daily, but what can be helpful instead is for children to have multiple short lessons per week and/or for parents to do some piano play time with the child (with a similar approach to inviting the child to play with a favourite toy or game). The goal of music lessons with babies (under 7’s) is to foster their musical ear so that the concepts of rhythm and tone aren’t foreign to them. Music is a language, and it’s much easier to learn a language you’ve been exposed to at age 2, than to learn it for the first time at age 9. But it’s important for it to be enjoyable and child led when they’re in this early season of life. I would say that, from age 7 on, a more traditional approach can work just fine.

I’m from Finland and went to school the year I turned 7. I was able to focus on playing, exploring, just being a careless kid until then. I think I learned to write my name a month before going to school, haha. And I learned things quickly at school nevertheless. I heard from a homeschooling pedagogist that her kids only learn through play and being outdoors until 7 years old since the kids’ brains are not quite wired for structured learning until then. But I guess every child is unique. I do offer my 5yr old daughter study booklets for learning since she is very into that.

I'm a violin teacher and I've started kids playing as young as three. It's really helpful if the parent learns along with the child and it makes practicing at home so much more fun.

I was homeschooled in California starting in 6th grade. It wasn’t like a traditional home school though. We would actually go once a week and pick up assignments then do them at home with our parents and turn it all back in the following week. I enjoyed it and was finished with school at 16. Started college at 17. My son now thrives in public school for now and as long as he enjoys it and is safe. I have no problem pulling him out though if need be or he wants it. I should mention that we live in a small town in Oklahoma and it’s pretty easy and slow. I think everyone should do what works for them. We all learn differently 🙂

The rampage of indecisive thoughts about homeschooling at the end was so endearing to me! I get in those loops often (especially with big things) and it feels good to know others do too!! I think bc since the time of needing to choose is still relatively far way, it can make the indecision feel heavier. It will become more obvious the closer the time comes!

As someone who isn't involved with homeschooling, I feel there is so much more children can learn and the children can benefit more from having that extra one on one support in whatever subject they need. I'm not even vegan but I find you and your sister inspirational and I want to thank you for sharing your life and what works for your family. Sending you a hug from beautiful British Columbia Canada

I never wanted to homeschool until I started working at a homeschool hybrid school. Now I couldn’t imagine doing it another way!

Hannah I just want you to know that I enjoy the content you put out. You are a very down to earth person who has a positive impact on me. Your videos help my mindset to look for the joy in the little everyday things. You are the only influencer I continuously look forward and wait for videos to come out even still over the years.

We love the Well Educated Heart for homeschooling it’s not a curriculum but rather a method. We also have used The Good and the Beautiful curriculum as well.

My Aunt moved up there when my cousin's were small like yours too(theyre grown now) and she LOVES it,she a well known physical therapist Susan Gordon and lives on 80 acres,in the Winter they have the biggest Elk roam their property,its absolutely beautiful there and the people are extremely warm and welcoming ❤ so happy for you and your family Hannah ❤

Let them play there is a study that shows children who start learning early like 4 have no advantage agianst children who start to learn around 6/7 years old. They are on the same level 2-3 years later.

Our favorite curriculum when my kids were young was Five In A Row. You cuddle up together read a picture book and then do activities and have conversations that go with the book. It was the perfect balance for us of a little bit of structure but with lots of freedom to adapt to the unique interest and needs of our family.

Would love to more videos about your homeschool journey and what styles you’ve researched and/or tried 😊 I’m diving into all of this myself for my 2 year old. I know I have time but I feel the exact same way about craving a little more structure and purpose in the day ❤

This is my first year homeschooling. I have a 6 and 2 year old. We landed on doing book work and some online school. My son is so analytical and he honestly loves to sit down and do worksheets. We implemented the online part because the hardest part for me has been managing my toddler while trying to teach my oldest. You gotta do what works and my son is doing fantastic. He’s already completed his kinder “requirements” and were moving on to first grade work even tho he’s still considered kinder. Homeschooling is the best, you will find your flow 🤍

My baby is the same age and I would love to see how you modify for your little one and meal ideas everyone can have.

You should look into a Year of Playing Skillfully for pre-grade school age! It combines play and learning activities and is helpful in introducing some structure into your day.

Seeing Cosmo's PJs at the beginning always makes me so nostalgic because my siblings and I had those same matching PJs when we were kids!

I’m homeschooling 6 right now (6-16). We do structured math & reading/language arts. Other than that, we don’t follow a set curriculum. If my child knows how to read, he/she can learn anything/everything! So I focus on that. We also do the bare minimum for high school (graduate at 16) & go to community college. We do this so they can explore interests early & cheaply before going to a more expensive university. They also apprentice when they are in their early teens so they can explore different jobs. (My kids have apprenticed at a farm, an hvac company, and a catering company. They have been offered jobs after each.)

so cute watching Cosmo play the piano

Ohhh. I love that cup with the cats on it.

Hi Hannah!! We're also in the boise area and I'd love to see your garden this year and what you are planting! I have a garden as well and would love some inspo!

Hi Hannah. I have 4 kids from the ages 16 to age 5 and have been homeschooling from the start. I was very much like you wanting to get started as I like to teach. I went to a homeschool confrence in our state and it was an awsome resource to look at curriculum and learning styles. I was also learning at the same time which was cool. All of my children found intrest in music at a young age and I bought them a curriculum called Picture Songs by Karol Ann Krakauer that they used until they were 6. Also starting at 3 I encourage alot of age apporiate chores as a part of their daily routine. Have a blessed time homeschooling reading and learning with your children!

Love your content and your family dynamic

💛 love your videos!

Which camera are you using to capture such stunning shots? And it's amazing how effortlessly you connect with people everywhere you go. By the way, I'd like to know your preference for cooking - do you enjoy using basmati or jasmine rice?

Cosmo and Wanda! lol from Fairly Odd Parents

Hi Hannah have a beautiful day! 🥰🥰🥰

Playing is learning in a way!

you need to go to a wild and free conference! it was so inspiring. modern miss mason is a great book i loved it

no waaay!! JULIO IGLESIASSS!! JAJAJAJ you kill me!!!!! love that!

Hi Hannah, musician and music educator here. My new favourite book is “The Musical Child” by Joan Koenig. You are going to LOVE it. It’s designed for parents with no musical background and talks about the importance of music at every stage of childhood and gives you great activities you can do at home. It’s changed the way I want to teach my students and the way I think about education in general. She also has a website! Btw her early childhood music school is based in Paris and I know you’re a big Francophile 🇫🇷

Love that Cosmo knows how to use cassette tapes. You should go to the local used record store and get some more tapes. Just so he can get introduced to all kinds of music from Frank Sinatra to New Kids on the Block. I know there will be some tapes that aren’t kid friendly but I’m sure they have a bunch that would be. Elvis, Tom Jones, Sinatra, old school boy bands, Michael Jackson etc

Pregnant with my first so we have some time to decide education, but I personally was homeschooled all the way through high school and loved it! (And yes, I then went to college; I pursued music, taught private lessons and was a worship director for a ministry for several years. Now, in my early 30s I'm pursuing birthwork and am a childbirth educator and student midwife. I found your channel through your homebirth vlogs!) About music, as a piano instructor, I personally would take on students who could comfortably "sit" (enough attention span for one task) for 15 minutes. Usually this was as young as 3. BUT in the midst of those 15 minutes, we did about 3-5 different foci, so finding the right teacher for your child is paramount. Regarding the whole reading English/a language then reading music comparison - have you looked into the Suzuki Method? It's an ear training method and the ethos aligns with, "We speak before we write and use words that we don't know how to spell (especially in childhood), so why should music we play be restricted to only what we can 'read?'" That said, I am not a fan of ONLY Suzuki, since a child's playing ability so far can supersede their reading (music) ability once reading is introduced, that it can be frustrating for some. But starting with Suzuki could be a great fit!

Tips on getting children to eat curry/sauces like the miso tahini? My daughter used to eat anything and we exposed her to so much - until she turned 2. Now she wants everything plain.

You will love any books by Julie Bogart! She also has a podcast.

I love that Cosmo uses Cassettes not Tony Boxes or streams!!!

I started violin at 3! And trombone at 10. I never enjoyed anything more.

The baby will be in headstart you will be finding him projects to do as his brother learns to read write ect.Legos haha

I was lucky to be able to homeschool my son however I have girlfriends who have to work and dont get the opportunity.We are very lucky

I have 5 kiddies, I home school 2 of them and 2 are in state school. We are based in Australia so it may not he available to you, but we follow the Collective community minds. It is 2 teachers who left the system when they mandated the c Vax and started their own. It is fun and easy to follow. We go to a home group co op 1 day a week and a weekly meet up t the beach..

How do you stay the vegan route, with a family of meat eaters?

I'm sure the locals aren't pleased with the influx of Californians to their state.

Hi Hannah, I enjoy your channel and am happy for your kids that you’ve decided to not show their faces. Curious as to why you show intimate scenes of them in their jammies and being snuggled by you in their beds. I know your thoughts on the issue of kids on KZfaq is evolving … maybe that could include not showing your kids at all to the extent that that is possible. I recommend mom uncharted on KZfaq for inspo and info if you want to get fired up about this topic! You could be a real inspiration to your fellow KZfaqrs 😊

I don’t know why but I just hate tea sponsorships 😅. Good video otherwise though ❤

Doodoo 😂😂